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Gunnison/Crested Butte Colorado
Family Activity Guide
Summer 2007
Kid Friendly Activities
in the Valley - Special Events, Festivals and Concerts

Whether it's about rodeos, art fairs, bike races, or hunting for wildflowers and mushrooms, Crested Butte and Gunnison know how to celebrate and take pride in doing so as many times as possible during our beautiful summer months. If you're visiting for more than a couple of days, chances are

that at least one of these events will take place during your stay. And if you live here, well, try not to wear yourself out.

Lake San Cristobal 5K/10K
Kick off the summer with a 5K baby jogger stroll in this annual event. The race will be held June 2 in Lake City. Infants can join in the fun in backpacks, and if your kids are up to it, why not run/walk with the other racers! Visit www.lakecity.com or call 970-944-2527 for further information.

Ghost Tours - Every Friday Night in Lake City
Starting Friday, June 15 and running through Friday, August 24, The Hinsdale County Museum hosts their evening "ghost tour." These free tours leave at 8:00 p.m. from the Museum located on the corner of Second and Silver St. The tours are very popular with the kids. Visit www.lakecity.com or call 970-944-2527 for further information.

Pioneer Museum Open House
The Pioneer Museum in Gunnison hosts their annual Open House on Father's Day, June 18. Admission is free and refreshments are served. The museum is open to the public seven days per week, opening Memorial Day and closing September 30. The museum hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $7.00 for adults, $5.00 for children. Kids 6 and under are free. There are 16 buildings full of attractions. The Pioneer Museum is located at 803 E. Tomichi Ave., (Hwy. 50 on the east edge of town, across from Jorgensen Park). Please call 970-641-4530 for more information.

Fat Tire Bike Week
This week-long event of bike races and clinics take place from June 25 to 30 and is fun for the whole family. Children ages 10 and up are welcome on the beginner guided rides, and all ages are welcome to join in the several events around the town Crested Butte and in the Expo Area throughout the week, which includes live music, a pig roast, and a family fair. The Fair takes place Saturday June 30 and will feature non-profit booths with games and prizes and a bouncy house for the kids. For more information visit www.ftbw.com.

Scarlet Sisters "The Lost Circus"
The Gunnison Library will host this interactive circus for kids. The circus is sponsored by Friends of the Library and takes place June 14 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. For more information, call 970-641-3485.

All American Kids Fishing Derby
Located at Lake San Cristobal in Lake City on Saturday, June 23 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., this event is free for all ages. Just bring your own pole and bait. For more information visit www.lakecity.com or call 800-569-1874.

Alpenglow Free Concert Series
These concerts are held Monday evenings from June 25 through August 13 at 5:30 p.m. on the soccer field (conveniently located next to the playground) in the Town Park in Crested Butte. The opening celebration of this event will feature two performances with a community potluck in between. Past performances have included bands playing bluegrass, swing music, steel drums, reggae, and many more. What to bring? Your whole family (except for the dogs!), a picnic, snacks, a nice bottle of wine, blankets, jackets, lawn chairs, and your dancing feet.

Sundays at 7
These free concerts take place in Gunnison at Jorgensen Park every Sunday from June 3 to August 5 at 7:00 p.m. Bring blankets, jackets, picnic dinner, beverages, lawn chairs, and get ready to be entertained and enjoy a social gathering with neighbors. What a great way to top off a fun weekend!

Wildflower Rush
This run race set in beautiful surroundings offers Cross Country, Downhill and Super D divisions for both kids and adults on June 23 and 24. For more information and for registration, visit www.ridecb.com.

Alfred Packer Festival Days
This festival is held on June 30 and July 1 and is hosted by the Lake City Recreation Department. Included in the festivities on Saturday are bands, beer garden, live music and more. Sunday events are more kid friendly and include coffin races, a BBQ and kid games. For more information call 970-944-4003.

Independence Day Celebration
This is the ultimate all-American Fourth of July experience. The morning commences with the Gothic-Crested Butte Half Marathon. Cheer on the runners as they pass the finish line in downtown Crested Butte and head over to the fire hall on 3rd and Maroon St. for the Firefighter's Annual Pancake Breakfast.
The parade begins at 11:00 a.m. (Crested Butte Time) and includes a huge variety of floats including bikini clad rafters, war veterans, and "monkeys" jumping through flames on their bicycles. (And, of course, the Mountain Kids Magazine float).
There are scheduled activities planned throughout the day which we will update here, or you can check the local papers.
After the parade, hang out and dance on Elk Avenue, engage in the many activities scheduled, or take a rest before the Patriotic Big Band Concert at 4:00 p.m. in the Town Park. Following the concert, at dusk is the fireworks display. There is also a fireworks display in Gunnison at night.
On this holiday there are croquet games set up on lawns all over town, and Bar-B-Q aromas on every corner. This is an absolutely unforgettable experience for the entire family: It's what every Fourth of July should be.

Crested Butte Music Festival
The Divine Family Young Peoples Concerts are a series of free concerts designed for children ages 4 to 12 held on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to noon. The schedule is as follows: "On the Ball" July 7, "Jazz for Kids" July 14, "Discover Chinese Music" July 21, and "Opera for Kids" July 28. The Music Festival has evening performances all summer long and children 6 and older are welcome for a ticket price of $10.00.

Crested Butte Wildflower Festival
Taking place from July 9 to 15, this event offers twice daily flower identification walks at 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. and at 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. If you have small children, please carry them in a backpack. Also offered are Wagon Rides to Peanut Lake, which are fun for the whole family and take place daily from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and 1:15 to 2:45 p.m. For more information on the Wildflower Festival, please call 970-349-2571 or visit their website at www.crestedbuttewildflowerfestival.com

Cattlemen's Days
Located in Gunnison at the Rodeo Grounds, this "Grandaddy of Colorado Rodeo" gives local cowboys and cowgirls, and competitors from around the country, a chance to show off their roping, riding, and racing skills. This week-long celebration of our Western Heritage includes a carnival, rodeo, 4-H exhibits, horse shows and races, a parade, dances, and even a breast cancer fundraiser on Thursday, July 12 titled "Tough Enough to Wear Pink." This year's celebration takes place July 6 to July 15. The Carnival commences Wednesday, July 11 and runs Wednesday through Saturday (No Sunday Carnival). The Cattlemen's Days Parade is Saturday, July 14 at 10am followed by the Kiwanis BBQ at Legion Park. Cattlemen's Days PRCA Rodeo & Race Meet - FAMILY DAY - is Saturday, July 14. Children 10 and younger free with a paid adult admission. For more information on exact times of events and admission prices, visit www.cattlemensdays.com.

PowerAde Pinnacle Bike Race Series
Created by Crested Butte Mountain Resort, this regional racing series for kids and adults is held on July 12, 19, and 26, and August 2 and 9. The event features a free Shimano Youth Series, which is designed to give children the opportunity to compete in a fun, positive environment. For more information call 970-349-2221 or visit www.ridecb.com.

32nd Annual Lake City Arts and Crafts Festival
This festival will be held in the Town Park on July 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and features talented artists, craftsmen, live music, and a variety of delicious food. Visit www.lakecityarts.org for more information on this event and a myriad of other events. Call 970-944-2706 for further information.

Art in the Park
This will be the thirty-third year for this juried art show held in Gunnison at Legion Park on July 22. The festival features the work of talented arts and craftsmen and runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Come join in the fun during this annual event.

Pitkin Days
Held in Pitkin, Colorado on July 28 and 29, this event is overflowing with great activities for kids, most of which take place on Saturday. These include a Fun Run/Walk at 8:00 a.m., Children's Fishing contest at 9:00 a.m., Horseshoe and Frisbee Contests at 11:00 a.m., Free Throw Contest at 11:20 a.m., Potluck at noon, Seed Spitting Contest at 12:30 p.m., Children's balloon toss, egg toss, and sack races at 1:00 p.m., tug-of-war at 2:30 p.m., and a Winner's Ceremony at 3:00 p.m. There will also be a melodrama performed both nights at 8:00 p.m. at the Pitkin Town Hall. Tickets are $6.00 for adults and $2.00 for children who take a chair.

Stepping Stones Fun Fest
The fundraiser for the Tuition Assistance Program. of the local pre-school takes place on August 4 from 10 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. in the Town Park of Crested Butte. Festivities for this town favorite include a petting zoo, food, games, prizes, a dunk tank, and bump 'n jump rides.

Crested Butte Arts Festival
Come to downtown Crested Butte on August 4 and 5 to see artists from all over the country, selling just about anything one could think of. Many booths sell kiddie accessories like puzzles, hats, wooden toys, and children's clothing. There is a face painter and a magician as well. The Rubber Ducky Race, which is a Rotary fundraiser, takes place on Coal Creek on Sunday, so head over to the creek to cheer on your ducks and maybe win some cool prizes, too.

Living Journey's Crested Butte Summit Hike
One of Crested Butte's favorite fundraisers, this annual hike held August 11 raises money to benefit people living with cancer. Participants choose whether they want to do the full 11.5-mile hike round trip, hike all the way up and take the lift down, or take the lift up and hike to the peak and back down. Registration is $50.00, but each hiker is also encouraged to raise pledges. Bring your friends and family and enjoy a beautiful hike for a good cause! Kids should be old enough to hike on rough terrain.

Gunnison Car Show
The 20th annual event takes place August 24 to 26 in Gunnison and Crested Butte. Head down to Main Street in Gunnison on Friday for the "Cruise In" and a 50's style party with live music and dancing from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. On Saturday, check out the Open Car Show and the activities, food and music in Jorgensen park. The entire crew does a breakfast cruise to Crested Butte on Sunday Morning.

High Octane Arts & Crafts Festival
This festival is held on August 25 in Legion Park from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It will feature arts, crafts, antiques and collectibles. It is held in conjunction with the Gunnison Car Show. This first year of un-juried displays is open to everyone. Call The Gunnison Country Chamber of Commerce at 970-641-1501 for further information.

People's Fair
This event celebrates local artists of all kinds in downtown Crested Butte on Saturday, September 1. Enjoy live music and great food as you shop from booths that include local painters, jewelry makers, used records and CDs, adult and children's clothing, and even fresh honey, jams and pies. Supporting the locals has never been so much fun!

Kids 1K Tootsie Roll Race - Gunnison Valley Hospital
This fifth annual race, held on Saturday, September 29, begins immediately after the Run for Rehab at the hospital in Gunnison. Children ages 2 to 10 will run, walk, or stroll with their parents down a balloon-lined straightaway, and receive a ribbon and oversized Tootsie Roll at the finish line. Cost is $5.00. For more information call 970-641-7297.